Every year we put together this list, and every year, it gets harder. Because let’s face it – we love all of Yorkshire. It’s like picking a favourite child. But after exploring close to every inch of our region over the past year, we *somehow* managed to narrow down our favourites, and alas, we bring to you our annual list of the best places we think you should visit in Yorkshire in 2025.
From up-and-coming (and severely underrated) seaside towns, to hidden gem neighbourhoods that only those in-the-know truly know about, here are some of the quaintest, loveliest and most fantastic places to visit in Yorkshire, according to us.
1. Saltburn-by-the-Sea
There’s more to Saltburn than Victorian cliff lifts and nostalgic beach days. One of Yorkshire’s quieter seaside towns, Saltburn-by-the-Sea is becoming a hotbed for cool, independent businesses – from casual Neapolitan pizzeria No. Twenty Three, to quirky cafes such as Signals and seafront dining destinations like Tomahawk and The Seaview.
Saltburn might be a small town, but its food scene is mighty – and if you’re looking for a quiet, coastal escape for a couple’s retreat, we reckon a date day doesn’t get better than a stroll along the promenade, a trip in the cliff lift and a romantic dinner in town.
2. Marsden
Marsden often flies under the radar, but it’s a place we return to again and again. Boasting a fantastic neighbourhood vibe, Marsden is a canal-side, former cloth mill village, which today, brings the community together with great pubs and restaurants – which is often a rarity in villages.
In the summer, locals congregate by the canal in the street-side beer garden at The Riverhead Brewery Tap (our dog’s favourite, in particular!), but in addition to the great food and drink (namely from Peel St. Social, The Olive Branch and Cafe Oi), the village also benefits from local walks including Marsden Moor and the Wessenden reservoir circular.
3. Scarborough
There’s a reason Scarborough is so popular (and has been since Victorian times!), and it’s because absolutely nothing can beat the childhood nostalgia of a traditional seaside town.
With two sides of the town to explore – the bustling seafront on the South Bay and the more chilled North Bay – there’s a little something for everyone in Scarborough, which is why we’ve grown to love it so much over the past few years.
The town is packed full of independent eateries (many of which are fantastic, by the way), alongside a busy seafront in the summer with arcades, rides and chippies galore, alongside great walks including the Cloughton circular and Hayburn Wyke and cultural highlights such as Scarborough Castle and Peasholm Park.
4. Bawtry
This small suburb of Doncaster has long been known as one of the most affluent in the area, with a buzzy neighbourhood vibe attracting ladies who lunch and racegoers annually.
From independent clothing and home stores to independent restaurants ranging from Italians, hidden gem pizzerias and cosy pubs, Bawtry has it all – and houses some of Doncaster’s best businesses in one small town.
If it’s a little potter around the shops and a nibble to eat you’re after, we’d recommend this as a destination.
5. Bridlington Old Town
Bridlington holds a special place in our hearts. It’s nostalgic for us and holds many of our childhood memories across the team. And despite its shortcomings, we still love it today.
Over the past year, Bridlington has seen numerous locals taking the plunge with new, independent businesses opening – bringing fantastic food to the seaside town. The Old Town in particular is forever a stunning gem, taking visitors on a blast to the past with beautiful architecture, cosy, old-fashioned pubs and quaint antique shops.
On the flip side, just down the road, guests can enjoy Bridlington’s classic seaside offering, from arcades and rides at the seafront and multiple beautiful beaches – including North Beach, South Beach and Fraisthorpe.
6. Richmond
Richmond is no secret, but it’s certainly a classic. Just East of Swaledale, the market town is a gateway to the Northern Yorkshire Dales, with quaint, picture-perfect scenes by the bucketload.
From its cobbled market square to the looming castle, Richmond has a lot of history to offer, but one of our favourite twists on its history has to be The Station – a former Victorian train station that’s been repurposed into one of the most fantastic community hubs we’ve ever seen. There, you can find a cinema, cafe and restaurant, taproom, bakery and much more – which, unsurprisingly, attracts a lot of the town’s population on a daily basis.
You’ll also find a number of quaint, independent shops and restaurants here, from cosy tapas spots like The Little Drummer Boy Cocina to hidden gem French restaurants such as Rustique.
7. Grassington
Grassington has only increased in popularity since the beginning of Channel 5’s All Creatures Great and Small, but there’s a reason people love it so much – us included. The Yorkshire Dales town combines the best of both worlds – charming countryside with… well… amenities.
Boasting multiple cosy pubs, a number of fantastic restaurants, bakeries and shops, Grassington is the beating heart of the South Dales to us, with beautiful Linton Falls just a stone’s throw away, plenty to explore on the cobbles, and tons of amazing hikes surrounding. What more could you want from the beautiful Dales?
8. Beverley
Known as a ‘mini York’, the market town of Beverley is loved for its affluent feel and centuries old buildings packed with bags of charm. It’s a pretty place to potter, with countless pubs and restaurants serving up some of East Yorkshire‘s best food, stores such as The White Company, Space NK and Oliver Bonas (alongside tons of fantastic independents), and beautiful landmarks such as the Minster.
Additionally, the town is notoriously dog-friendly, making for the perfect day out for all the family if you fancy blowing off the cobwebs one weekend.
9. Saltaire
There’s a reason Saltaire is one of the most photographed areas of Yorkshire. The Victorian model village sits around the stunning Salts Mill – a former textile mill that was once thriving.
Today, the beautiful model village remains, with tons of Victorian architecture to enjoy, the world’s largest collection of David Hockney artworks and lovely walks alongside the Leeds-Liverpool canal.
Expect a number of quaint, small bars, a huge brewery bar by Salt Brewing Co, and an array of beloved independent restaurants including Il Pirata Pizzata and Rumpus Burger.
10. Hull
Hull has made it to our annual list year after year, and for good reason. The port city has come on leaps and bounds since receiving City of Culture in 2017, and has since funded a fantastic renovation of Humber Street and the Fruit Market – the city’s marina-side destination packed full of incredible independent bars and restaurants.
In our opinion, today, the city is home to some of Yorkshire’s best foodie destinations, from hidden gem restaurant above a bakery, Hearth, (also recognised in the Michelin guide), to brunch hotspot Milchig and the masters of Umami, The Social Distortion. Elsewhere, cultural highlights such as the Old Town, The Deep and Hull Truck Theatre offer fantastic things to do.
Having a drink and a bite to eat down Humber Street or on the Avenues has become a favourite activity of ours, and we’ll absolutely die on the hill that Hull is a must-visit Yorkshire destination.
11. Hawes
A Yorkshire Dales town we’ve found ourselves returning to repeatedly over the past twelve months is Hawes. Embellished with the beautiful Gayle Beck that runs between the houses of the town, Hawes is a fantastic place to potter and relax after a hike in the North Yorkshire Dales, with multiple bustling cafes, cosy pubs and antique shops to explore.
The town is also home to one of our favourite Yorkshire chippies – The Chippie – which is home to the deep-fried Wensleydale cheese that you all loved when we posted on our socials. If it’s cheese you’re after, the famous Wensleydale Creamery can also be found in town – where you can taste Wensleydale creations to your heart’s content, see the team in action and enjoy a number of Wensleydale cheese-infused dishes at the restaurant.
12. Sandsend
Sandsend might be the small fishing village of its much more famous Mother, Whitby, but there’s something that oozes cool about the place.
The long, dramatic stretch of beach from Whitby is bookended by striking cliffs, with a heavy stream flowing from through the village onto the sand. It’s a popular place for dog walkers out of season and is particularly beautiful on a grey, stormy day – if you ask us at least (after all, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing).
The Hart Inn offers a cosy retreat for walkers to bunker up and re-fuel after exploring the rugged village, while Mary’s Sandwich Shop offers cool kid vibes aplenty with its shokupan sandwich haven, and Fish Cottage adds a touch of modern to the classic fish and chip supper with fish tacos, cod kievs and even fiery ‘nduja fries.
Read more: 11 Of The Most Beautiful Places In Yorkshire To Visit
